Are you moving, do you want to replace your old boat with a new one or do you perhaps no longer have the time and money for your beloved vessel? Then you may be thinking about selling her. You want to complete the sale quickly and get a good price for your boat, but how do you achieve that? With these five tips you increase the chance that the sale of your boat will be a success.
Have your boat appraised
If you want a good, honest price for your boat, it is important to have the vessel appraised. Are you asking too much for your boat? Then you will always miss out. It has never been easier for buyers to compare boats online. They will therefore not go for a boat that costs more than it is worth.
However, you also don't want to see your boat go for too little money. That's why the golden tip is: always have your boat appraised by a professional. With an appraisal report, you can defend your asking price and potential buyers can see that they are really getting value for their money. In addition, an appraisal report can be useful for the new owners when they want to arrange insurance for the boat, for example.
Arrange a major cleaning
You may be able to sell a boat that is not in top condition for a lower price, but selling your boat this way will disappoint you. Few people will make a serious offer on a boat that has overdue maintenance and has not been completely polished up for sale.
So invest some time and money in painting the window frames, servicing the engine and replacing the ropes that have had their day. A good presentation is also important. Your boat can be in top condition, but if it doesn't smell fresh or has stains in the upholstery, potential buyers will quickly drop out. Tidy up the boat and make her spick and span, so that viewers can see what a great vessel you are selling.
Take professional photos
When you look at an ad, do you also always look at the photos first? You are not alone. If you want to sell your boat quickly, you should definitely not underestimate the power of good photos. Underexposed, blurry photos do not show your boat from its best side. Photos from the wrong angles can make your boat look smaller and too few photos can cause potential buyers to scroll down to the next ad.
While taking photos with your phone's camera is possible, consider hiring a professional photographer who has experience photographing boats. The more photos the better. Be sure to include a few shots of your boat in action!
Place a complete ad
The better you describe your boat in your ad, the better your chances of getting meaningful responses. Include everything a potential buyer might want to know, such as the dimensions of the boat, the type of engine, the condition of the boat, any details from the inspection report, etc. You can also add a bit of history, so potential buyers know what to expect. This piece of information can also help them form a bond with the boat, which will give them a positive feeling when they go to the viewing.
Ask a yacht broker for help
Selling a boat is a lot of work. That is why all help is welcome. Hiring a yacht broker will help you save a lot of time when selling your boat. This specialist knows the market well and knows what your boat is worth. In addition, he or she will arrange the viewings and other matters for you, so you have to worry a lot less about the sale. Hiring a yacht broker is not free, but because you will probably sell your boat faster and for a better price with his or her help, it is worth the investment twice over!
